🐘 About the Project
Siyafunda Wildlife & Conservation offers a rare chance to live and work in the African bush, where you’ll support essential research and monitoring efforts in a Big 5 game reserve.

Volunteers work closely with a professional team to track and study key species such as elephants, lions, leopards, and hyenas. You’ll also assist in monitoring breeding programs for buffalo, nyala, and Livingston’s eland, and take part in vital habitat conservation efforts.

The project is based in a 25,000-hectare wildlife reserve in South Africa’s Lowveld – the heartland of conservation. Whether on game drives, bush walks, or observing from waterholes, all work is guided by experienced field rangers and carried out with a conservation goal in mind. This isn’t just wildlife watching – you’ll truly live among the animals.

Imagine sitting quietly near a pride of lions, tracking a leopard on foot, or observing a herd of elephants as they move through the bush – these are everyday moments at Siyafunda.

In the evenings, you’ll relax back at camp, share stories around the fire, and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild.

🌿 Volunteer Activities
Volunteers assist with hands-on tasks including:

• Elephant monitoring: Elephants were introduced in 1994 and the project was the first reserve to have intact family groups relocated to it. The reserve was also the first to take part in the Elephant Contraception Program to regulate its total elephant population. The program started in 2000 and is the longest running of its kind; it is the benchmark on which all other similar projects are based. This was a pioneering study and it is important to continue to monitor the elephant herds as the reserve has the most extensive and longest continuing database of elephants on contraception in the world. Monitoring of the elephants involves recording their movements to determine daily and seasonal ranging patterns. The project also observes and records long term behavioural aspects, focusing primarily on herd/bull associations and sexual behaviours. Elephants are a key-stone species and require constant information collection for effective wildlife management decision making.

• Lion tracking and behavior studies: The monitoring of lion population is done to assess their movements, behaviour and predator-prey interactions. Lions, like elephants, are key-stone species and, within restricted wild environments, require constant monitoring to assist with management interventions when required. Interventions are done to bring variety to genetic diversity within the population and to control population size. The reserve has participated in various population control methods and research. Contraception of lions has been used and studied within this reserve. Lions are prolific breeders and between 1995 and 2007, 89 lions were born at the reserve.

• Hyena research: The reserve is host to both species of Hyena; Brown and Spotted. The Spotted hyenas are superior in numbers and are a particularly important species for the effective functioning of this ecosystem. They provide the cleaning up of carcasses, as well as being effective hunters. The project monitors den sites and activity and ID specific individuals to track interaction and behaviour. Brown hyenas are very rare and occasional sightings of them are met with great excitement for all involved.

• Leopard research: The project closely monitors the locations of leopards to determine territory extent as well as creating and updating ID kits to monitor individuals and determine total population size. As with all predators, prey selection and reproductive behaviour to effectively assist the reserve management is also monitored. The project works closely with Panthera Leopard Research Project, who are monitoring and determining the leopard population in the area. This project is planned to continue for the next 10 years. Working in conjunction with Makalali Research, you will assist with the setting and monitoring of camera traps during the key months of February and March.

• Breeding herd monitoring (buffalo, eland, nyala): A 400 hectare, enclosed area of the reserve is home to the project’s current breeding initiatives; Buffalo, Livingstone Eland and Nyala. The first 6 buffalos, 2 males and 4 females, were reintroduced to the Reserve in 2008 – the first to have returned to this land for 80 years or more. The buffalos are disease free and are a substantial financial investment. They will be released into the greater reserve once the herd size is big enough to sustain itself and to be exposed to hunting lions. The project monitors their progress within the enclosure, checking health, possible pregnancies, and any new births. Livingstone Eland is the largest antelope. Along with Nyala, numbers are in decline due to encroachment on habitat by humans, as well as poaching. Therefore observing behavior, learning about breeding patterns and protecting these antelo

• Bird and raptor observation: Each week the project monitors the different species of birds seen in the area. This is to determine any seasonal correlations and observe migratory patterns as part of a larger country wide initiative – Ndlovu birding project. Positions of birds of prey and vultures are recorded, and this information is recorded and sent to the Endangered Wildlife Trust who constantly monitor the vulnerability status of these birds. Many of these birds are threatened due to persecution by people who believe they threaten livestock and for traditional medicine and beliefs.

• Small mammal surveys: Sightings of the reserve's small mammal population are also monitored and recorded. This data allows us to determine species density, habitat, home range and territory utilisation of these animals. This includes animals such as Aardvarks, Jackals, Honey badgers, Caracals and, of course, the elusive Pangolin!

• Habitat restoration and vegetation surveys: Alien Vegetation Control: Under the guidance of Working for Water (WFW), volunteers will assist with identifying and monitoring stands of alien and invasive vegetation within the river and across the reserve. Volunteers will participate in the removal and chemical control of these species as well as the follow-up monitoring of problem areas. This is an important project as alien invasive plants can encroach on areas and prevent other indigenous plants from growing, as well as using up large amounts of moisture from the soil. This has a detrimental effect on your ecosystem and therefore requires constant monitoring and removal.

• Birds and Raptors: Each week the project monitors the different species of birds seen in the area. This is to determine any seasonal correlations and observe migratory patterns as part of a larger country wide initiative – Ndlovu birding project. Positions of birds of prey and vultures are recorded, and this information is recorded and sent to the Endangered Wildlife Trust who constantly monitor the vulnerability status of these birds. Many of these birds are threatened due to persecution by people who believe they threaten livestock and for traditional medicine and beliefs.

• Reserve Management: The project is lucky enough to be situated on a large reserve, but this also means that it needs to be constantly managed. Volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in assisting with reserve duties such as road maintenance to prevent erosion problems, encroachment of vegetation over the roads and fence clearing when needed.

• Foot patrols and bush walks

• Community outreach and education

Morning and afternoon sessions are scheduled when animals are most active, and fieldwork is always done with a purpose — helping with accurate, data-driven conservation.

An unforgettable bush experience, and impactful wildlife conservation!

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Visa 

As visa requirements vary per country, please look up if you can get a free 3-month visa upon arrival. Please note that visas are the responsibility of the volunteer, and that Go with Khaya will not be held responsible for clients being denied entry, should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas. 

In general, the rule applies that any stay of longer than 90 days in South Africa will require you to apply for a visa before departure. If you plan to stay shorter than 90 days most nationalities receive a free visa upon arrival in Johannesburg or Cape Town airport.

All travellers must be in possession of a valid onward/return air ticket.

Passport 

South Africa insists on people having 2-free pages available when you enter. Keep this in mind if you are going to fly home from South Africa after completing a tour to multiple African countries. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your date of departure from Africa. You are personally responsible for ensuring that passports, visas, vaccination certificates and other travel documents are in order and for all costs relating thereto. 

Vaccines 

For vaccines we recommend that you contact your local physician or travel clinic for information and advice but Yellow Fever is advised and Rabies recommended. 

Weather 

The weather in this part of Africa can be diverse and summers can get very warm, while winters can get quite cold. The Kruger Park area has a temperate climate Rainy Season (October to March). The subtropical climate has hot rainy summers starting in October and ending around March. The summer rains transform the arid reserve into a lush flowering paradise, but the increased foliage does make animals harder to see.

Dry Season (April to September). The winter months from April to September are extremely pleasant with warm dry days and cold nights. Traditionally, the best game viewing is in the winter as the vegetation becomes sparse and water is restricted to rivers and water holes. 

Insurance 

Accidents can happen to anyone. Make sure to get comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Alcohol 

We allow alcohol to be enjoyed at the accommodation but only for those of 18 years. Volunteers under the age of 18 are not allowed to drink alcohol as per South African Law. 

Drugs 

Using or possessing drugs is illegal in South Africa as are the obvious hard drugs such as ecstasy etc. We have a zero-tolerance policy for such usage. 

Disclaimer 

Go with Khaya commits itself to always offer accurate and correct information, but please keep in mind that information can change, and all projects can be subject to change regarding their programs and/or accommodation arrangements. Go with Khaya is a facilitating organization and does not run its own projects. Therefore, Go with Khaya cannot take responsibility whatsoever, for any changes concerning any program we offer. You will participate solely at your own risk. 

Is South Africa safe?

Despite general ideas of South Africa being very unsafe, it is important to know that South Africa is known to many as very friendly and welcoming. But please remember that you must realise that you will be far away from the big cities where you must stick to a certain behaviour to avoid complicated situations. As 70% of people in South Africa live in poverty and only few are extremely rich, the differences in life and hope for a better future creates a situation that fuels crime, lack of education, substance abuse, domestic violence and many more problems.

Your safety is very important, and your host will look after you to the best of their ability. We do expect you to do your bit and keep to our safety guidelines. Common sense is you best friend when it comes to safety, but here are a few guidelines:

• Do not walk alone in the bush or wander off without explicit permission 
• Stay with the group where possible 
• Do not walk around with your valuables 
• Do not carry a backpack on your stomach; it shows you have valuables and are an easy target as a tourist 
• Have a phone on you but do not walk around while calling. 

There is no concern about safety, except from animals, at the project. The game reserves are guarded and fenced, and the town is also safe during our town trips. But, like everywhere in the world, security is everybody's personal responsibility, so use your head and be aware of your surroundings.

Location

Hoedspruit, the closest town, is fundamentally an agricultural town situated just a short distance from Kruger National Park, surrounded by wildlife-rich landscapes that make it a popular stopover for tourism. What started as a few shops, a bank, and a small rondavel serving as a station has transformed into a premier eco-tourism destination, renowned for some of the best 'Big 5' wildlife viewing in South Africa. 

Despite the influx of scheduled airlines operating from the nearby airport, Hoedspruit has managed to preserve much of its rural charm.